IF they continue to build upon the improvement shown during last night’s defeat to St Helens, Warrington Wolves will feature in the Super League play-offs.

That was the view of Sky Sports pundit Phil Clarke despite The Wire going down to a third straight loss and an eighth defeat in 13 league games.

Daryl Powell’s side stepped up their performance in several departments to take the defending champions and league leaders to the very brink at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Saints held on for a 12-10 victory, but Powell was not alone in declaring this game his side’s best 80-minute performance of the season.

> Click here to read Daryl Powell's post-match thoughts in full

With Warrington currently languishing in eighth place, their chances of post-season success have been written off by many but Clarke believes that could suit them in the weeks and months to come.

“I hope we so more of that in the second half of the season and if we do, they will win far more games than they will lose,” he said.

“They were a touch unlucky on one or two occasions, but I thought they showed skill, ambition and some speed.

“They started the season with such expectations – I thought they were going to get to the Grand Final and win it.

“Maybe the second half of the season will be easier because in a way, they’re underdogs.

“They’re not expected to do anything, the only way is up for them and I can’t see them falling down the league table. They’re not under that pressure and that might suit them.

“With performances like that, they surely are a top-four team.

“That was too good an 80-minute effort not to think that this team are going to be in the last couple of weeks of the season.”

Warrington Guardian:

Sky Sports pundit Phil Clarke. Picture by SWPix.com

Guest pundit Jamie Jones-Buchanan echoed Clarke’s sentiments, declaring Wire’s performance in defeat as “outstanding.”

He highlighted the display of Connor Wrench, who came close to winning the game for his hometown club in the final minutes and was visibly distraught at the final hooter.

“It’s great to hear about players like Connor Wrench – local boys who are in pain and hurting at not quite getting the goods,” he said.

“That’s what Daryl needs to build the future on – homegrown players that want to play for the club and feel that pain when you get the losses.

“Then you bring your big marquee players in to sit on top of that, but that takes time.

“You ask the question why Warrington aren’t further up the league.

“If they play like that every week, they wouldn’t be in the position they’re in. They were outstanding for 80 minutes.

“It was a cacophony – a cocktail of big hits, rampant runs and real entertaining rugby league that we’ve come to expect from Saints and Warrington match-ups.”